On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, a great wind arose in the capital, blowing for three consecutive days. By the sixteenth, dust storms swept through, yellow sand obscuring the sun, making it impossible to discern the time of day. Nearly a hundred dwellings collapsed in the city, claiming several lives. On the night of the seventeenth, part of the roof of the Cloud Cliff Hall in the Azure Sky Temple suddenly collapsed. Though craftsmen worked through the night to repair the tiles, half the roof collapsed again the next day.

Daoist Master Cao sent someone to report to Emperor Zhenning.

The Cloud Cliff Hall had been funded by Emperor Zhenning while he was still a prince, designed and built under Zhang Zhanchun’s supervision twenty years ago. Its collapse seemed to portend his fate, causing him great distress.

Upon hearing the news, he immediately ordered all four gates of the imperial city closed, and officials from various ministries dared not leave their offices.

The daily lectures at Wenhua Hall were suspended, and Yang Wan accompanied Yi Lang as he studied in the library.

The wind was strong that day, and even with the doors locked, the lamp flames flickered restlessly.

Heyu entered from outside, rubbing her hands. Yang Wan quickly raised her sleeve to shield Yi Lang from the wind, “Close the door quickly, I just swept away the sand.”

Heyu closed the door, shivering, “The wind outside is too strong, you can’t see anything. The kitchen will be late with meals today.”

Yang Wan said: “Let them be late. I’ll cook noodles for you all.”

Heyu glanced at Yi Lang and smiled, “We don’t mind, but you can’t keep making His Highness eat simply.”

Yi Lang looked up from his book, “I want to eat Aunt’s noodles.”

Heyu’s face fell, “Your Highness hasn’t grown tired of your aunt’s noodles?”

Yi Lang put down his book, “I’m a prince whose salary has been suspended. What luxury can I afford? Besides, Father Emperor is unwell – I shouldn’t think about food cravings.”

Heyu’s ears reddened at this “lesson,” and she quickly responded, “Yes.”

Yang Wan stood up, “Did you ask Chief Secretary Chen about the Azure Sky Temple matter as I asked?”

Heyu replied: “Yes, the Chief Secretary heard your instructions and went to look yesterday. He said half had collapsed, even the statue of the Old Lord is exposed now. The temple people covered it with a straw shelter, not daring to attempt repairs. Many commoners are there watching, saying all sorts of things.”

Yi Lang asked, “Why don’t they dare repair it?”

Heyu shook her head, “This servant doesn’t understand.”

Yang Wan said: “It’s a single-pillar structure, built under Master Zhang’s supervision. It’s very difficult to repair – hasty work would only make it collapse further.”

Yi Lang fell silent for a while, then suddenly looked up, “Then is the Depot Supervisor…”

Yang Wan nodded with a smile, “Yes, but Your Highness shouldn’t mention it.”

Heyu hadn’t caught on and asked Yang Wan, “What are you and His Highness talking about, miss?”

Yang Wan stood up, “Come, let’s light the fire. I’ll cook some noodles to tide you over.”

Two more days passed, and the dust storms continued to come and go.

That day, a yellow haze obscured the sky, making it almost impossible to see while walking. Yang Lun asked a palace maid at the Huiji Gate for a silk scarf, covering his face as he walked toward the Cabinet duty room.

Palace servants hurried along with their heads down, inevitably colliding as they tried to shield their faces. Just as Yang Lun reached the duty room door, he crashed into an elderly Cabinet minister. Yang Lun recovered quickly, bouncing back up and dusting himself off at the doorway, but the elderly minister wasn’t so nimble, struggling twice before managing to sit up. When Yang Lun recognized him, he quickly bent to help, “This official didn’t see you, Minister.”

The minister waved his hand, using Yang Lun’s support to stand, “No matter, who can see anyone in this weather?”

Supporting each other, they entered the duty room where two eunuchs were wiping sand from the desks. Qi Huaiyang sat in a chair, removing his shoes to shake out the sand. Seeing them enter, he quickly put his half-emptied shoe back on and stood, saying, “It must have been difficult for both ministers to get here.”

Yang Lun sat down and took a sip of tea, “This is the first time I’ve seen such heavy sand storms in early autumn.”

Qi Huaiyang said: “Should we inquire with the Imperial Observatory?”

The elderly minister said: “Do we need to ask? Though His Majesty is ill, he already summoned the Imperial Observatory to Yangxin Hall at dawn. You arrived through Huiji Gate early, so you hadn’t heard.”

Just then, Ceremonial Office Secretary Li Jiang spoke from outside, holding a silk scarf, “Minister Bai, is Assistant Minister Yang inside?”

Yang Lun turned his head, “I’m here. Come in and speak, Lord Li.”

Li Jiang said: “I’d better not enter. The dust is heavy, and opening the door would cover the ministers in it.”

Yang Lun rose and walked to the door, “Does His Majesty have instructions?”

“Yes, His Majesty summons Assistant Minister Yang and Minister Bai to Yangxin Hall.”

Yang Lun said: “The Minister is off duty today.”

Li Jiang replied: “No matter, the Ceremonial Office has already sent someone to notify him. Would the Assistant Minister please come with this servant first?”

Yang Lun nodded and turned back to Qi Huaiyang, “If I can see the Observatory Director, I’ll ask on your behalf. The Cabinet needn’t make a formal inquiry.”

Qi Huaiyang said: “That makes sense. With the recent collapse of Cloud Cliff Hall, His Majesty must be unsettled. It wouldn’t be good for me to make explicit inquiries. Please keep this in mind, sir.”

Yang Lun acknowledged this and followed Li Jiang to the glazed doors before Yangxin Hall, where he saw Yang Wan standing sheltered from the wind. The Chengqian Palace servants all wore silk scarves over their faces, standing hazily behind Yang Wan. As private conversation wasn’t allowed before the hall, Yang Lun simply asked formally: “Is His Highness inside?”

Yang Wan turned at his voice, bowed, and replied: “Yes, His Highness is attending to His Majesty’s illness in the inner hall.”

After speaking, she moved aside by the door, secretly making a “heart” gesture with her fingers at her waist.

Yang Lun couldn’t help but smile, stepping through the glazed doors.

The scent of medicine permeated Yangxin Hall, mixed with the smell of cinnabar. Yang Lun stood behind the screen waiting to be announced, faintly hearing Emperor Zhenning’s cough – hoarse and muffled, like rough stones scraping against the ground.

Soon after, Daoist Master Cao from the Azure Sky Temple and several green-robed Daoists walked out.

Yang Lun had always disdained such people and simply turned aside, avoiding the formal greeting.

Then Observatory Director Ge Yucheng walked out, hugging his hands. Yang Lun called out to him: “Did His Majesty inquire about these days of sand storms?”

Ge Yucheng watched Cao’s retreating and couldn’t help sighing, “I only submitted an observatory report. Last year at this time, when the Observatory heard great thunder, I also submitted a report. I can’t say more – after all, our words carry limited weight. We can only observe the heavens, not communicate with them.”

He jerked his chin forward, “His Majesty will ultimately trust heaven’s words. However, from what I overheard inside, Master Cao’s memorial wasn’t unfavorable.”

Just then, Hu Xiang called from behind the screen: “Minister Yang, His Majesty summons you.”

Yang Lun exchanged farewell bows with Ge Yucheng and walked straight into the inner hall.

Emperor Zhenning reclined on the imperial couch with Yi Lang standing alone in attendance.

Yang Lun lifted his robes to perform the proper bow, but Emperor Zhenning couldn’t even be bothered to raise his hand, merely humming, “Rise.”

Yang Lun stood and bowed again to Yi Lang.

Emperor Zhenning asked: “Minister Bai hasn’t arrived?”

Secretary Li stepped closer to reply: “We’ve sent for him, but the roads are difficult to travel, so the Minister is delayed.”

Emperor Zhenning coughed and sighed, “Next month is the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. I wish to discuss a ‘general amnesty’ with you all. Since my ascension, I haven’t been granted a general amnesty. Today Master Cao mentioned it to me, and thinking of the Empress Dowager’s benevolent example, I feel it’s time to show such mercy.”

Hearing this, Yang Lun understood what Ge Yucheng meant by “Master Cao’s memorial wasn’t unfavorable.”

He quickly knelt and said: “Your Majesty’s benevolence matches heaven’s virtue.”

Emperor Zhenning said: “We’ll discuss details when Minister Bai arrives. For now, I wish to discuss another matter with you.”

Supporting himself on Yi Lang’s hand, he sat up straighter, “The collapse of Cloud Cliff Hall at Azure Sky Temple truly unsettles me. However, it was built with merit I accumulated in my youth and isn’t part of the inner palace. I wish to take this opportunity during reconstruction to bring it under imperial control. Discuss this with the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works.”

Yang Lun said: “Your servant has already discussed this with the Ministry of Works. Cloud Cliff Hall isn’t particularly large, so the cost wouldn’t be excessive, but the Ministry…”

He deliberately paused.

Emperor Zhenning opened his eyes, “They dare not recommend anyone, correct?”

“Yes.”

Yang Lun raised his head, “Cloud Cliff Hall was built by Zhang Zhanchun, supported by a single pillar. Few people today understand its construction method.”

Emperor Zhenning fell silent for a while, then suddenly asked: “When is Deng Ying to be executed?”

Yang Lun reported: “After autumn.”

Emperor Zhenning fingered his prayer beads in silence.

Yang Lun and Yi Lang exchanged glances but remained quiet.

The hall was silent except for the drifting incense smoke. After a long while, Emperor Zhenning suddenly coughed several times, waving away the tea cup Yi Lang offered, and said hoarsely: “Send word to Zhang Luo to bring Deng Ying into the palace tomorrow. I will see him.”

The next day, Deng Ying was brought into the imperial city by the Northern Command.

In Yangxin Hall, He Yixian and several Ceremonial Office secretaries stood attending by the imperial couch as Zhang Luo personally led Deng Ying in to kneel before it.

Emperor Zhenning looked down at him and said to He Yixian: “All of you observe his fate.”

Hearing this, He Yixian and the others knelt, saying: “We servants will carefully reflect on our conduct.”

Emperor Zhenning raised his hand for them to rise, then lowered it and called: “Deng Ying.”

Deng Ying pressed his hands to the ground and bowed, responding: “This servant is present.”

Emperor Zhenning coughed several times, then said hoarsely to He Yixian: “My throat pains me and speaking is difficult. Relay my words to him…”

He Yixian bowed and responded “Yes.” He approached Deng Ying and said formally: “Deng Ying, though you were not originally included in the general amnesty for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, His Majesty has shown special mercy, reducing your death sentence to eighty strokes of the heavy bamboo. You will be stripped of office and sent to serve as a slave at the Nanjing garrison.”

After hearing this, Deng Ying kowtowed in gratitude: “This unworthy servant humbly receives His Majesty’s great mercy.”

Emperor Zhenning asked: “Did Zhang Zhanchun teach you the construction method of Cloud Cliff Hall?”

Deng Ying said: “This servant has seen my teacher’s notes. Though he took them when he returned home, I can still recall seven or eight-tenths.”

Emperor Zhenning nodded.

“In that case, your punishment will be carried out after the repairs to Cloud Cliff Hall at Azure Sky Temple are complete. Deng Ying, this is the second time I have pardoned you. If the Hall’s reconstruction proceeds smoothly, I may show further mercy and absolve your crimes. But if there are any problems, your punishment will be increased, and I will sentence you to death.”

“This servant weeps with gratitude and kowtows to thank Your Majesty for this heavenly grace.”

He finished speaking and bowed again deeply.

Emperor Zhenning looked at his back and asked another question: “How is your health?”

Deng Ying replied: “Still able to endure.”

Emperor Zhenning said: “I allow you some days to recover.”

Then he told Zhang Luo: “Take him back for now.”

Soon after, the first general amnesty of the Zhenning era was proclaimed throughout the realm.

In the Northern Command prison, the jailer removed the shackles from Deng Ying’s hands and feet and handed him new clothes.

Deng Ying took off his prison garb and shook out the new clothes, immediately recognizing Yang Wan’s stitching. Holding the sleeve, he suddenly felt disoriented. Half a year had passed, with no sense of seasons in the prison. He had not dared think too much of Yang Wan, fearing time would drag even more slowly.

The jailer led him out through the prison’s main gate.

Yesterday’s rain had settled the yellow haze, and leaves carpeted the city. Dried leaves mixed with dust clung to the ground along the road.

“Hey!”

A clear voice suddenly called from behind.

Deng Ying started.

“Over here, little Deng Ying.”

Deng Ying turned toward the voice and saw Yang Wan sitting on a stone platform by the prison wall, smiling at him.

“It’s really ugly.”

“Do I look that bad?”

“No.”

Though she was smiling, her voice trembled slightly, “This clothes I made – it’s really ugly.”

Deng Ying said gently: “But I like it very much.”

Yang Wan reached out to him, “Come here.”

Deng Ying walked to her as asked, extending his arm for her to hold. The post-rain breeze gently stirred Yang Wan’s slightly damp hair.

“Did you eat properly?”

“Yes.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

“Did you miss me?”

“Yes… ah?”

“Ha…”

Yang Wan laughed, but her eyes were already moist. She looked up at Deng Ying and said: “Deng Ying, I missed you every single day, but I didn’t tell anyone. I acted perfectly calm. I didn’t want anyone to pity us. I just waited for this day, to be the first to see a free little Deng Ying, wearing the clothes I made, happily coming home with me.”

Deng Ying crouched down so she could hold his hand more comfortably.

“I’m sorry, Wan’er, I…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I…”

Yang Wan interrupted him, “You haven’t spent a single coin on me, haven’t bought me anything, and nearly died. You’re such a scumbag.”

Deng Ying looked up at Yang Wan, “What… is a scumbag?”

Yang Wan reached out her other hand to touch Deng Ying’s cheek, her voice growing softer, “It’s a man who isn’t good to his wife.”

Deng Ying’s back stiffened. After so long without physical contact, her temperature was still warmer than his. Her gentle voice brought him peace.

“Do you know you were wrong?”

Deng Ying nodded.

“I know I was wrong.”

“Do you know what to do from now on?”

“I know.”

Yang Wan laughed, “You’re lying, you don’t know anything.”

Deng Ying had no response and could only lower his eyes to look at Yang Wan’s knees, “I’m sorry, Wan’er.”

Yang Wan gazed at Deng Ying’s face. Half a year of imprisonment had worn away most of his spirit, and his injuries had compounded – there was no way he had truly eaten and slept well as he claimed. Yang Wan recalled Yang Lun’s words, “Though his face remains as yesterday, seven-tenths of his soul has worn away.” She couldn’t help but wrap her arms around Deng Ying’s waist.

Deng Ying’s whole body stiffened. Yang Wan said in a muffled voice, “Deng Ying, don’t you know you’re supposed to speak comforting words when I’m holding you and crying?”

Deng Ying responded helplessly: “Don’t cry. Let me think about how to properly apologize to you when we get back.”

“Are you going to ask Chen Hua again?”

“I won’t ask him. I’ll think of it myself.”

Yang Wan held back tears, “You’re just simple-minded.”

This comment made Deng Ying relax a bit. He looked down at Yang Wan and simply admitted: “Yes, I am simple-minded. Wan’er, take me home and teach me, will you?”

“You promise?”

“Mm.”

Yang Wan looked up, “His Majesty has allowed you some days to recover.”

“Ten days.”

“Then you belong to me for these ten days. No getting out of bed, no taxing your mind. You’ll eat whatever I give you. I’m going to treat your old leg injury and the illness you caught in prison.”